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🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan /Energy & Infrastructure

Bishkek's Water Quality Meets Standards, But Network Expansion Lags

From 24.kg · () Russian

Translated from Russian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Bishkek's drinking water quality meets standards, but centralized supply networks do not reach all areas.
  • The municipal water utility, "Bishkekvodokanal," is responsible only for areas with its existing infrastructure.
  • Authorities are identifying new water sources and expanding networks to serve newly incorporated districts of the city.

The quality of drinking water in Bishkek adheres to established standards, but the municipal water utility, "Bishkekvodokanal," faces challenges in extending its centralized supply and sanitation networks to all parts of the expanded city.

The enterprise bears responsibility only for those areas where its centralized water supply and sanitation networks are laid.

— Alibek Kanymet uuluExplaining the limitations of the municipal water utility's reach.

Alibek Kanymet uulu, deputy director of "Bishkekvodokanal," explained that the enterprise operates on a self-financing basis and its responsibility is limited to areas where its centralized networks are already established. Following a significant administrative-territorial reform that more than tripled Bishkek's area, extending networks to some remote districts presents logistical and financial hurdles.

After the administrative-territorial reform, the area of Bishkek increased more than threefold. In some remote areas of the city, Vodokanal does not have the opportunity to extend its water.

— Alibek Kanymet uuluDescribing the challenges posed by the city's expansion.

To address this, the Bishkek mayor's office, in conjunction with municipal administrations and architectural departments, is actively searching for new water sources and land for additional water intake facilities. Three potential sites have been identified, with geological surveys by "Kyrgyzgeology" confirming the presence of artesian water and the feasibility of drilling wells.

Three sites have been identified, we have received approval from the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzgeology," there is a positive conclusion that there is artesian water in these territories and it is possible to drill wells.

— Alibek Kanymet uuluDetailing the progress in securing new water sources.

Kanymet uulu also emphasized that connections to the centralized water systems require adherence to technical specifications. Citizens wishing to connect must apply through the Bishkek Main Architecture department, with requests reviewed by a technical council. The utility is also actively combating illegal connections to its water networks, ensuring that all connections are properly authorized and documented.

We are actively fighting illegal connections to water supply networks.

— Alibek Kanymet uuluHighlighting efforts to prevent unauthorized water usage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by 24.kg in Russian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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